England coach Robert Gunn and member of Kilroe club in Penistone, said: “This is a stepping stone to the World Championships.

“There’s no other competitions like this at this time of year and it’s also the first time we get to have a go with the opposition.”

Mr Gunn, of Grange Moor, used to compete himself for 40 years before taking on the position of coach this year.

His club, which used to train at the old Huddersfield Sports Centre, has 20 members who train three times a week as well as running and going to the gym.

Huddersfield Leisure Centre hosts the British and Irish Tug of War championships. England 'B' team.

He said: “It keeps you really fit but you have to be very dedicated.

“The day before the competition we were 36 kilos over the allowed weight so we spent the whole day in the sauna sweating it off!”

There were two weight categories contested in the men’s division together with a mixed weight class, with teams consisting of four men and four women.

The tug of war teams consisted of eight pullers, aiming to pull a rope four metres from its starting position.

Competing in the mixed class on behalf of Kilroe Ladies were Laurie Ibbotson and Elise Priestley.

They won gold at the European outdoor championships in September.

Huddersfield Leisure Centre hosts the British and Irish Tug of War championships. Scotland 'A'

Laurie, a member for 20 years after joining through her Young Farmers’ club, said: “We would like to see all female teams competing but indoors tug of war is very specialist and not many people know about it.

“It’s a very sociable sport and all sorts of people do it, we’ve got hairdressers and solicitors.

“We both met our partners through this and we take part as a family and it gets very competitive.”

Elise that people think of those taking part in the sport as being big and burly men but that’s certainly not the case.

She added: “You have to train hard and you get a great workout.

“It’s quite extreme but I love it.

Huddersfield Leisure Centre hosts the British and Irish Tug of War championships. England 'B' against Scotland 'A'

“We don’t look particularly attractive doing it and gurning away but it’s a lot like a drug - it’s very addictive!”

Contest spokesman Alan Knott said: “It’s a good warm up event for the world indoor tug of war championships.

“It’s a growing sport and we’re hoping to get more kids and youth teams involved.